8 Day Tour from Paris to Paris

Vacation Overview

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Experience the sites and landmarks of northern France, starting in Paris, the “City of Light.” Enjoy a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and a guided orientation of the city’s main highlights: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and many more. Visit Giverny with its splendid Monet Gardens, see Rouen with its impressive cathedral, admire Normandy’s striking coastline with memories of D-Day, and relive William the Conqueror’s feats as embroidered in the Bayeux Tapestry. The wonder of Mont St. Michel is next, then St. Malo, Rennes, and two overnights in the Loire Valley. On the way back to Paris, visit Blois with its renaissance castle and gothic Chartres Cathedral. Spend a final night in Paris to celebrate your vacation “joie de vivre!”

Individual headsetsInside visits and special features: Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where applicable.Sightseeing: Visits to Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Landing Beaches and American Cemetery, Bayeux and its tapestry, Mont St. Michel, St. Malo, Rennes, Blois, Chartres

Scenic Highlights: Châteaux Country

Guides:

Local Guide for city sightseeing in Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring

NOTES:

April 3 Departure – Easter Week

On Sunday departures, overnight is at Blois instead of Amboise. Itinerary changes as follows:

Day 5: Mont St. Michel–Blois. (B)

Day 6: At leisure in Blois or optional excursion to Chenonceau & Amboise Castles. (B,D)

Day 7: Blois–Chartres–Paris. (B)

Day 1Arrive in Paris, France

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the French capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 2Paris

One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. In the included sightseeing with a local expert are many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available. (B)

Day 3Paris–Giverny–Rouen–Honfleur–Deauville

Start the day with a visit to Giverny, home of painter Claude Monet. The famous WATER GARDEN at Giverny was the inspiration behind some of Monet's finest work (gardens open from April onwards, departures March 20 & 27 visit D-day Museum in Arromanches due to Closure). Continue to Rouen to visit its great CATHEDRAL. Next, enjoy a stop in lovely Honfleur and then continue to the seaside resort of Deauville for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 4Deauville–Normandy Landing Beaches–Bayeux–Mont St. Michel

This morning, visit the nearby legendary beaches of Normandy, where the Allied troops landed more than 70 years ago. The highlights are Arromanches and the AMERICAN CEMETERY at Omaha. Next, to Bayeux, famed for its lacemaking and the world-renowned BAYEUX TAPESTRY (included visit). Then, southwards to visit Mont St. Michel, which stands on an island reached by a causeway. (B)

Day 5Mont St. Michel–St. Malo–Rennes–Loire Valley

Drive along the coast to the fortified seaside resort of St. Malo to admire its CATHEDRAL and ancient walls. Continue to Rennes with its traditional, colorful timber-framed houses. Later, reach the Loire Valley for two overnights. (B)

Day 6Loire Valley

A whole day to take advantage of a fascinating optional excursion and visit the Château of Chenonceau, now privately owned and the most visited castle of the Loire Valley, and Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. (B,D)

Day 7Loire Valley–Blois–Chartres–Paris

Start the day with a visit to picturesque Blois, with its renaissance castle located in the town center and once occupied by Louis XII. Later, another highlight is the visit of Chartres, home of the famous gothic cathedral. Reach Paris in time to enjoy an optional excursion. (B)

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

CLARA CRAWFORD

Years of Experience: 3 years

It would delight me to show you France - the most visited country in the world. This is a place of enormous variety in its history, natural beauty, and the magic of Paris! Add to this the fantastic food, wonderful wines, and musical language and you'll truly fall in love with the country and its people!

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on the Jewels of France: